German dressage rider and horse dealer Beate Schulz-Matthies passed away on 26 September 2021. She was 68 years old.
Originally from Erfstadt, Germany, Beate was a certified interpreter and a Grand Prix level rider decorated with the German Golden Rider Badge for 10 S-level victories in both show jumping and dressage.
Long Show Career
Schulz-Matthies was actively riding until May 2021, age 68. She started as a show jumping rider and competed at the German Jumping Championships.
She met riding teacher Peter Mumm and they were life partners first and then business partners, sharing a base first in Hahnwald near Cologne and then at Castle Blessem near Bonn.
Her show record in the database of the German Equestrian federation dates back to 1976 when she competed Well (by Wohlan x Adlerhorst) and Wait Not (by Wortschwall x Artur) in dressage and Scots Myth xx (by Coup de Myth xx x Fighting Don xx) and Diorella (by Duktus x Marcio xx) in hunting and jumping.
Beate stayed fit by riding and switched fully to dressage. She was coached by her life-long friend Magret Dieckmann-Grosshundor. The first horse they trained together was Eva Senn's Salome.
In the 2000s Beate showed Western Sunny (by Western Star x Gajus) and Kazuhiko Miyagawa's Jumanjy (by ?) and Russian Anna Ivanova's ride Crystal Angel. In 2008 there was Antius and round 2010s she campaigned Fontainebleau (by Fidermark x Weltmeyer) which she rode in the 2009 Nurnberger Burgpokal qualifier and in the national small tour at the 2011 CDI Dortmund.
Her last show results were achieved in Troisdorf in May 2021 on Rodnoir (by Riccio x Donnerruf).
Horse Dealer
As of the 1990s she ran a horse dealing business through her British company, Horses Best Ltd. Beate brokered or served as agent in many high profile horse sales.
She was known for being a very outspoken dressage personality with strong views on horse sport and life. She contributed her opinion on St. Georg's online forum, but she also denied, for instance, the existence of Covid-19.
During the flooding in July 2021 Beate temporarily had to evacuate the stable which got affected by the rising water.
Beate succumbed to cancer after a short period of illness. She was operated on in a hospital in Essen but could not be saved.
She leaves behind her mother Edith Schulz and brother Jörg and his children. She had no children. Her memorial service was held in small family circle.
Photo © Digishots
Related Links
Scores: 2011 CDI Dortmund
Scores: 2009 German Dressage Championships
Scores: 2000 CDN Bad Honnef